Are You in a Troubled Relationship with Social Media?

Are You in a Troubled Relationship with Social Media?

Social media sites—such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter—are great for staying in touch with family and friends. But spending too much time on these sites can take a toll on your mood and well-being. Here’s how to keep social media from bringing you down.

Social Media Has a Dark Side

The first step is understanding the risks. In one study, people who were active on seven or more social media sites were about three times as likely to be depressed or anxious, compared with those on two or fewer sites.

In an ironic twist, spending too much time on social media has also been linked to loneliness. Another study showed that people who used social media for more than two hours per day were twice as likely to feel socially isolated as those who used it for less than a half hour.

Signs You May Have a Problem

Has your own social media use gotten out of hand? Watch for these red flags:

Spending more and more time on social media

Feeling stressed-out by constantly checking social media apps

Getting less work done due to social media use

Feeling as if your life doesn’t measure up to what others post

Preferring online relationships to in-person ones

How to Have a Healthy Social (Media) Life

To keep your social media use in check, limit yourself to no more than 30 minutes per day. Consider turning off notifications on your phone.

When you do check social media, avoid comparing yourself to other people. From a distance, their lives may look amazing and problem-free. Remind yourself that you’re only seeing a tiny sliver of their lives in their social media posts.

Enjoy your online connections. But don’t let them detract from your offline relationships. When it comes to boosting your well-being, Facebook is no substitute for face-to-face time.